Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

New Zeki Data Report Breaks Down Competition Within the Deep-Tech Ecosystem

LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global report on deep-tech talent published by Zeki Data today reveals the US generates three times as many deep-tech companies as the UK, while small European startups have a much higher concentration of advanced-skilled talent than in North America.

The Deep-Tech Talent War: Europe vs. North America Showdown 2024 Report unravels the underlying trends in deep-tech between Europe and North America using talent as the lens. The report shows the dramatic slowing of new deep-tech companies since 2020.

Zeki Data, a UK-based deep-tech data company that scores the future potential of deep-tech companies to guide investment and talent acquisition, reveals in the report that countries are waking up to the need to attract and retain talent as a key to building sovereign capabilities in transformational technologies that will underpin the next phase of national prosperity and security.

"There is intense competition for the finite science and engineering talent that deep-tech companies need to advance their innovation ambitions," said Tom Hurd, Zeki Data CEO and Co-Founder. "Governments are throwing money at deep-tech start-ups to secure an innovative advantage, but Zeki's data shows there's limited ROI amid countervailing winds of high capital costs and market consolidation."

"Attracting and retaining the most innovative talent is the best indicator of future innovation potential for deep-tech companies," Hurd added. "This should be the priority for countries and companies alike."

The Deep Tech Talent War report focuses on the less studied evolution of the 6,100+ most important European and North American deep-tech companies and the strategic implications of their race to master new technologies. Zeki looked at the 8,795,902 people that the companies employ globally, particularly the 227,948 individuals with highly advanced skills.

KEY ZEKI DATA REPORT FINDINGS

1.  Government Investment Fails to Spur Startup Growth: New deep-tech company formation has slowed dramatically since 2020 in Europe and North America. Countries have made major financial investments to drive a greater pace of deep-tech innovation to no end. Countervailing winds of high capital costs and market consolidation have dampened the effect of government industrial policies.

2.  Magnificent 7 Prioritize Low-Cost Hires: Market consolidation driven by GenAI is driving dramatic hiring shifts across Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. Deep-tech companies are favoring early-career, lower cost hires, and cutting higher-cost experience.

3.  American Startups Scale 2x Faster than European: Deep-tech startups in the United States are scaling twice as fast as European counterparts.

4.  Engineering Biology Companies Struggle to Scale: Engineering biology companies remain attractive acquisition targets as they struggle to grow to medium and large-sized businesses.

5.  Battery Technology has Imploded: Preceded by a green energy talent exodus that began in 2019, renewable energy has fallen out of favor with talent as demonstrated by hires rapidly exiting the sector since 2022.

6.  Software Engineering is All the Rage: Semiconductor, aerospace, and defence companies are battling it out for top software engineering talent, while much of the cybersecurity sector appears to be prioritizing sales over software talent.

7.  Chinese Talent Exits the West: At the country-level, the exodus of Chinese deep tech talent from Western companies is accelerating. China has firmly established itself as the destination of choice for Chinese talent leaving European and North American deep-tech companies.

The full report is available for free download at zekidata.com/talentwar  

About Zeki Data

Zeki Data is a UK-based deep-tech data company that scores the future potential of deep-tech companies to guide investment and talent acquisition. Zeki's data includes over ten million leading scientists, engineers, and researchers specialising in cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum computing, data engineering, semiconductors, and health technology. Organisations leverage Zeki data to optimise their talent acquisition processes and innovation pipelines—and unlock new, quantitative insights about the quality, momentum and future direction of innovation at individual companies.

We've developed 20 bespoke indicators to assess each expert, detailing their areas of expertise and evaluating their professional impact, technical proficiency, career trajectory, ambition, reputation, and future potential. Our client base spans investors, corporate strategists, HR teams, and government bodies, all leveraging Zeki insights to stay ahead in the evolving tech landscape.

Learn more at www.zekidata.com 

New Zeki Data Report Breaks Down Competition Within the Deep-Tech Ecosystem

LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global report on deep-tech talent published by Zeki Data today reveals the US generates three times as many deep-tech companies as the UK, while small European startups have a much higher concentration of advanced-skilled talent than in North America.

The Deep-Tech Talent War: Europe vs. North America Showdown 2024 Report unravels the underlying trends in deep-tech between Europe and North America using talent as the lens. The report shows the dramatic slowing of new deep-tech companies since 2020.

Zeki Data, a UK-based deep-tech data company that scores the future potential of deep-tech companies to guide investment and talent acquisition, reveals in the report that countries are waking up to the need to attract and retain talent as a key to building sovereign capabilities in transformational technologies that will underpin the next phase of national prosperity and security.

"There is intense competition for the finite science and engineering talent that deep-tech companies need to advance their innovation ambitions," said Tom Hurd, Zeki Data CEO and Co-Founder. "Governments are throwing money at deep-tech start-ups to secure an innovative advantage, but Zeki's data shows there's limited ROI amid countervailing winds of high capital costs and market consolidation."

"Attracting and retaining the most innovative talent is the best indicator of future innovation potential for deep-tech companies," Hurd added. "This should be the priority for countries and companies alike."

The Deep Tech Talent War report focuses on the less studied evolution of the 6,100+ most important European and North American deep-tech companies and the strategic implications of their race to master new technologies. Zeki looked at the 8,795,902 people that the companies employ globally, particularly the 227,948 individuals with highly advanced skills.

KEY ZEKI DATA REPORT FINDINGS

1.  Government Investment Fails to Spur Startup Growth: New deep-tech company formation has slowed dramatically since 2020 in Europe and North America. Countries have made major financial investments to drive a greater pace of deep-tech innovation to no end. Countervailing winds of high capital costs and market consolidation have dampened the effect of government industrial policies.

2.  Magnificent 7 Prioritize Low-Cost Hires: Market consolidation driven by GenAI is driving dramatic hiring shifts across Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. Deep-tech companies are favoring early-career, lower cost hires, and cutting higher-cost experience.

3.  American Startups Scale 2x Faster than European: Deep-tech startups in the United States are scaling twice as fast as European counterparts.

4.  Engineering Biology Companies Struggle to Scale: Engineering biology companies remain attractive acquisition targets as they struggle to grow to medium and large-sized businesses.

5.  Battery Technology has Imploded: Preceded by a green energy talent exodus that began in 2019, renewable energy has fallen out of favor with talent as demonstrated by hires rapidly exiting the sector since 2022.

6.  Software Engineering is All the Rage: Semiconductor, aerospace, and defence companies are battling it out for top software engineering talent, while much of the cybersecurity sector appears to be prioritizing sales over software talent.

7.  Chinese Talent Exits the West: At the country-level, the exodus of Chinese deep tech talent from Western companies is accelerating. China has firmly established itself as the destination of choice for Chinese talent leaving European and North American deep-tech companies.

The full report is available for free download at zekidata.com/talentwar  

About Zeki Data

Zeki Data is a UK-based deep-tech data company that scores the future potential of deep-tech companies to guide investment and talent acquisition. Zeki's data includes over ten million leading scientists, engineers, and researchers specialising in cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum computing, data engineering, semiconductors, and health technology. Organisations leverage Zeki data to optimise their talent acquisition processes and innovation pipelines—and unlock new, quantitative insights about the quality, momentum and future direction of innovation at individual companies.

We've developed 20 bespoke indicators to assess each expert, detailing their areas of expertise and evaluating their professional impact, technical proficiency, career trajectory, ambition, reputation, and future potential. Our client base spans investors, corporate strategists, HR teams, and government bodies, all leveraging Zeki insights to stay ahead in the evolving tech landscape.

Learn more at www.zekidata.com 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

Deep-Tech Talent War Escalates Between Europe and North America

• CATL opens Middle East's first NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh —currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China.
• The facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
• It also functions as a regional ecosystem hub linking diverse stakeholders and resources to drive industrial synergy and sustainable growth.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.

The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.

Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions. 

Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.

A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services

Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.

Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services

helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.

Advancing localized operations and capability building

The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.

Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.

These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.

"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.

"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S. 

Part of a global network

The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.

A long-term commitment to the Middle East

Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.

"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."

As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.

The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.

Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions. 

Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.

A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services

Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.

Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services

helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.

Advancing localized operations and capability building

The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.

Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.

These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.

"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.

"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S. 

Part of a global network

The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.

A long-term commitment to the Middle East

Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.

"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."

As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh

CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh

CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh